Q. Do you know whether they were part of the crowd that broke into the
stores or not?
A. I do not think they were.
Q. Do you know whether the property was destroyed at the Union depot?
A. I could not tell you. I would also state about the police, on Sunday
afternoon, during the time the Pan-Handle depot was in their charge.
The police drove the mob out of the Pan-Handle depot at the time they
were setting fire there. I know that they were police stretched the
ropes on the street and kept the mob out, so as not to interfere with
the firemen when working there.
Q. Did they hold it for any length of time?
A. They did hold it and kept the fire from going any further--kept the
mob outside of the ropes.
Q. Was it not burned?
A. It was burned; yes, sir.
By Mr. Means:
Q. As an officer, do you believe that had there not been any
interference with the railroad employés that you could have kept the
peace with the force of police you had?
A. I do not think it was the railroad employés that gave us the
trouble. I think it was the outside rabble entirely.
Q. I asked a question. The question is this: Do you believe, as an
officer, had you nothing to contend but the railroad employés, could
you have kept the peace?
A. Yes, sir; I think the mayor could have kept the peace. I do not
think there would have been any trouble at all if the military had not
been called out at all. My experience on Thursday, with these men at
Torrens station, was, I had not any trouble with them. These men were
orderly, and when they were ordered off the track they went off the
track, and I had no trouble at all, and I apprehended no trouble. The
men said they only wanted their rights, and did not wish to interfere
with us at all, while we thought they were.
* * * * *
Colonel J. B. Moore, re-called.
By Senator Reyburn:
Q. I believe you testified to being at the firing, and so forth. Did
you see General Pearson that afternoon?
A. I saw General Pearson continuously, sir, from Friday at eleven
o'clock until eleven o'clock Saturday, except----
Q. How was General Pearson dressed that afternoon?
A. Full major general's undress uniform.
Q. What was that?
A. Fatigue cap, with velvet band and wreath, and the letters "U.S." in
front of it; shoulder straps, with two stars; dark blue blouse and
pants, and blouse braided, as worn by officers usually.
Q. Gold braid?
A. No, sir; it is black braid. Major general's belt on, very rare
workmanship.
Q. Was it something that would attract attention--conspicuous?
A. Yes; it was one of those gotten up for a present, very elaborately
embroidered.
By Senator Yutzy:
Q. What color was it?
A. Red, marked with gold braid.
By Senator Reyburn:
Q. General Pearson, then, had a fatigue cap?
A. Yes; such as prescribed for major generals to wear.
Q. What was it made of--the blue cap?
A. Dark blue cloth, with a velvet band.
Q. Gold wreath, with the letters U.S. in front?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Did he wear this cap up there, just prior to the firing of the
military on the mob?
A. No, sir; not just prior. On Friday, when I reported to him, he had
on a straw hat, a white vest, and a blouse, before he and I came down
from the Union depot, and we put on our uniforms in the evening. I
suppose between eight and nine o'clock. It was not dark.
Q. On Saturday he wore this uniform?
A. Yes; he wore a uniform continuously from that up.
Q. Insignia of rank on shoulders?
A. Yes; and his sword. He had a sword with a gold scabbard. All the
officers of his staff that were there were in full uniform, except
Colonel Hays.
Q. Was he there with the military or with the Philadelphia troops when
the firing took place?
A. No, sir; there was no officer near the Philadelphia troops except
myself, that is, at the point when the firing took place at
Twenty-eighth street. Mr. George Steen, Major Stouts, and Major Fife
were at the cars taken out, one hundred and fifty feet below the
street. They were down at that flank of the troops.
Q. Were you inside of this hollow-square?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Did you wear a cap?
A. I wore a cap.
Q. Wear a belt?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Sword?
A. Sword and blouse, precisely like the one General Pearson had on,
except the shoulder straps.
Q. Did you know where General Pearson was, about the time the firing
took place?
A. I knew where he started off. He gave me orders to remain with
General Brinton, while he would go to the telegraph office.
Q. How long before the firing?
A. I should judge five or seven minutes.
Q. And started, did he?
A. Yes, started; I judge that from the fact that General Brinton went
down the Weccacoe Legion and the Gatling guns, and go through the two
lines that had been formed on each side of the track. Just as he had
sent down that order, General Pearson started, and I should judge it
would take time to get the guns up. I have no distinct knowledge of the
time at all. It was quite a little time before they were able to get
the guns up over the ties.
By Senator Reyburn:
Q. Then General Pearson left before these troops marched down? That is
the Weccacoe Legion, with the Gatling guns--he left before that?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. And it was before the firing took place?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. That was the detachment that attempted to put the crowd back off
Twenty-eighth street?
A. I cannot say whether it was the Weccacoe Legion or Washington Grays.
I understood they were both there, but I could not distinguish them,
they were all, as a matter of course, strangers to me. I saw "W.L." on
their knapsacks, of either the front or rear rank. I could not see
which it was.
Q. General Pearson could not have been there at the time of the firing?
A. No, sir; it was impossible for him to be there without my knowing,
for he gave me orders to remain with General Brinton, while he went to
the telegraph office, and I know there was no officer there except
myself. When a man is alone, he generally knows it.
Q. No officer of your division there--that is, General Brinton and his
command were there?
A. General Brinton was about as close to me as you are.
* * * * *
Captain E. Y. Breck, _sworn_:
By Senator Reyburn:
Q. Where is your residence?
A. Pittsburgh.
Q. What is your occupation?
A. I am a stenographer of court of common pleas, No. 1.
Q. What position did you occupy in the militia at the time of the
disturbance in July?
A. I was captain in the National Guard, commanding Hutchinson's battery
at that time, now known as Breck's battery.
Q. Were you present at the time of the firing of the troops, at
Twenty-eighth street?
A. I was, sir.
Q. Be kind enough to state what occurred?
A. Do you wish a statement, as to the firing?
Q. As to the fire, and who were present--what officers?
A. Well, I was stationed just above the flag-house--I suppose you know
where that is--and I had received an order a short time before the
First division arrived on the ground to be prepared to load my guns on
gondola cars, and I saw a plank brought out from the round-house on a
truck, and dumped there on the track to load the guns. I was quite
anxious, of course. There was a large crowd around there, and I did not
feel altogether secure. There was only one company of infantry there,
behind me, supporting the guns, and there were a great many rumors
floating around there. There was a rumor of trouble in Philadelphia,
and I was to be sent there, and for various causes I was anxious to see
commanding officer--General Pearson--and as soon as I saw the column
advancing up the track, I stood up on one of my limbers, where I could
look over the heads of the crowd, and see what was going on. As they
came up, I noticed, I think, first it was the sheriff, I remember of
seeing him, I think some of his deputies, and I saw General Pearson and
two officers, whom I afterwards knew as General Brinton and General
Matthews. Although I did not know them at the time, I got acquainted
with them that night. This, I suppose, was about half-past four in the
afternoon. They moved up until the right of the column rested at
Twenty-eighth street. They halted once down about opposite Twenty-sixth
street gate, and then, I suppose, was the time that General Loud's
brigade was put in possession of those cars down there. Then the first
division started on up. The First brigade, they came up until the right
was about at Twenty-eighth street, the First regiment was leading. The
regiment was in columns of four. They wheeled in line to the left,
forced the crowd back off the track, and up to within probably within
twenty feet of the walls of the round-house. There were, I think, four
gondola cars there, standing on side tracks, that prevented them
clearing the track clear to the walls of the round-house. These cars
were covered with people. As soon as they halted, both ranks were faced
about, and what had been the rear rank was marched toward the hill.
Then there was a company brought up from the rear, marched up through
the open ranks, and about that time General Pearson disappeared from
view. I was watching out very carefully for him, because I was
expecting orders every moment, and I was very anxious that he would
know where I was. In fact, he did see me. As they were marching up I
stood on the limber, and did something to attract his attention, and I
attracted his attention, and he nodded, as much as to say he knew where
I was. The reason I did that was, my position had been changed since
morning, the guns had been moved from the position in which he had
ordered them placed, and I wanted him to know exactly where they were.
About that time I lost sight of him, and I did not see him again until
I suppose about quarter of six, I saw him in the telegraph office.
Q. How was General Pearson dressed that day--could you see?
A. Yes; I was with General Pearson the evening before, when he put on
his uniform. We were down at Union Depot hotel, and he asked me if I
would like to take a walk around to head-quarters. I told him I would,
and he and Colonel Moore and myself started off for head-quarters. We
came up Grant, and I remember some house over here, where the general
was acquainted with two or three ladies there. That two or three ladies
sat on the steps, and they stopped the general and made some remark
about they hoped he was not going to shoot the people, and he stood and
talked some little time. We went on down to head-quarters, and got a
fatigue blouse out of some of the cases there--the fatigue blouse of
the old pattern is alike for all officers of different rank--the
designation is by the shoulder-straps. He got this blouse out and found
his straps, and I pinned the straps on for him--major general's
straps--and he put on his cap and belt, and I think he carried his
sword in his arm, if I am not mistaken. We stayed there a few minutes,
I do not know but we might have been there ten minutes. Then we went
down to the corner of Fifth and Smithfield, and took a car for the
Union depot, and went right back. He had the same uniform when he came
up the track and the same uniform when I saw him in the
superintendent's office, at a quarter to six.
Q. Immediately after the firing?
A. Yes, sir; the first time I saw him after the firing. The cap--it is
an ordinary fatigue cap, with a velvet band for general officers. He
had that cap and a wreath in front, and I think two stars in the
wreath--either U.S. or two stars. I believe it is regulation to wear
two stars, and the blouse had what they call herring-bone
trimming--black braid, and runs from the buttons out into loops and
slashed at the sides, and the belt was usually worn under the blouse,
but it was over the blouse--a red morocco belt, groundwork of morocco,
with gold embroidery. Quite profusely embroidered.
Q. Did the crowd resist these soldiers when they marched to
Twenty-eighth?
A. Up the tracks?
Q. Yes, sir.
A. As they came up the crowd opened out for them--the column was
narrow. They were in columns of four. There was a great deal of hooting
and jeering. I think some few of the people were trying to cheer. It
certainly was a sight that any man who had love for the military would
cheer at. I never saw a handsomer sight for so small a body of men.
They were in regular order, well uniformed, thoroughly equipped, and
their guns looked splendidly in the sun; and the crowd gave way and
there was no actual resistance--nothing to stop the troops until they
tried to clear the Twenty-eighth street crossing. The column marched up
without halting. I do not think they impeded their step any. When they
marched toward the round-house they wheeled into line, to the left, and
went towards the round-house. The crowd got back. They could not clear
the tracks clear to the round-house on account of those cars. When the
rear rank marched toward the hill the crowd gave way, but the troops
only came to the edge of the track--the right hand track going out.
That, of course, left plenty of room for the crowd on the road. The
road was black with people. There were a great many on the side of the
hill and the base of the hill.
Q. This crowd at Twenty-eighth street, did they resist when this
detachment marched through the center and marched up against them?
A. Yes; there was one company that it looked to me, from where I stood,
as if they were unable to do anything with the crowd--unable to move
it--and there was a stronger company, or more men--it was another
company--I think it was the Weccacoe Legion and the Washington
Greys--brought up from the rear. They came up at a carry, but they did
not drive the crowd far. They could not do it without using their
bayonets, and I do not know whether there was an order to charge
bayonets given or not, but at any rate, the men commenced to bring
their guns down as if they were going to charge, and from where I
stood, I could see the guns held by the mob--held them in their
hands--and I could see the men take hold, up near the muzzle, and draw
their guns back, in order to get them down to a charge. Just as they
did that there were one or two pistol shots fired, and then I saw about
a wagon load of stones and lumps of coal--in an instant the air was
black with stones and lumps of coal. Then a gun went off on the right
of the company, followed by three or four more, and then very nearly a
volley; and I did not want to be killed and jumped off the lumber.
By Senator Yutzy:
Q. Did you hear any command to fire?
A. No, sir; I did not.
Q. How near were you to this body of men--the Philadelphia troops?
A. I was within sixty feet of the middle of the Twenty-eighth street
crossing, I suppose.
Q. Could you see the officers inside this hollow square?
A. The officers were mostly--except the regimental officers--the
general officers were up on the crossing with this company--General
Brinton and General Matthews. I ran down on the track to help the first
regiment officers stop the firing. The men had fired, I suppose, two or
three rounds apiece. I helped the officers to steady the men up, and
give a little confidence to the men, and as soon as they did that, and
I think loaded again by command. Then I went up to the crossing, and I
saw General Brinton and General Matthews, and he had already thrown two
companies further up the track, and had the two Gatling guns in
position, one pointing up the track--both, in fact. And while I stood
there, they, turned and went down Twenty-eighth street.
Q. Just before the firing of the troops, did you see any officers in
this square, or between these two lines facing away from the
tracks--one facing the hill, and another facing down the other way?
A. They were both facing the hill at that time. As soon as the
battalion wheeled into line, there was some little fuss there--a man or
two fainted. They faced both ranks about.
Q. There was a space there?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. The regimental officers were there?
A. Yes; I spoke to Colonel Miller. He reminded me of it the other day
in Philadelphia.
Q. Did you see any of the officers of the Sixth division there between
these two lines?
A. No, sir; I think not, they were further up, right on the crossing.
The two lines reached--suppose this is the lower line of Twenty-eighth
street. [Illustrating.] They brought these lines right up to within ten
feet, perhaps, of the lower line of the street, and then those two
companies were right here. [Indicating.]
By Senator Yutzy:
Q. Do I understand you to say, that the company that was marched toward
Twenty-eighth street did connect with those two wings of the flanks?
A. The company was practically covered on the flanks. There was a
flag-house in here. [Indicating.]
Q. Some space between that company and the flanks of the regiment?
A. Yes. There was a little space, because I remember when I went down I
went around the left flank.
Q. Did you see any of the officers of the Sixth division in the rear of
this first company, marching towards Twenty-eighth street. Did you see
Colonel Moore?
A. I do not remember of seeing him. I might have seen him.
Q. Where did you see Pearson? You said you saw Pearson, and nodded to
him?
A. That was when he was marching up, and I followed him with my eye
until I saw him on the crossing where the crowd was, but this was
before they attempted to drive the crowd back, and there was one
company--it was a small company--and they did not make much of an
effort with them. They sent back for more men. I do not think the
Gatlings were brought up at first. My recollection is they came up with
those other companies that were brought up from the rear.
By Senator Reyburn:
Q. You did not see him after those other companies came up?
A. No, sir; I did not see him then.
By Senator Yutzy:
Q. Where did the firing commence?
A. Commenced on the right of this company.
Q. The company advancing towards the crossing?
A. Yes. They were facing up the railroad track right as you go out. The
firing into the troops commenced over here. [Indicating.] There were
two or three car loads of coal standing there.
Q. On the left going east?
A. On the left going east, and there was a man on that car fired the
first shot.
Q. A pistol shot?
A. As nearly as I could state. Then there was a house on the road going
up to the hospital grounds--there was a man behind that that was firing
down this way--I saw that they both fired about the same time. There
must have been a dozen pistol shots almost simultaneously with the
lumps of coal and stones.
Q. Did that house stand near the gate that leads up to the hospital?
A. Yes. I think this end of the house was on a line with the gate. The
watch-box would be down here [indicating] across the street, and up a
little from the railroad. I was out there a month or so ago, and it has
been removed.
Q. Where was your battery?